Opinions expressed here are my own and do not represent the views of the congregation I joyfully serve. But my congregation loves me!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Improving Life One Pancake at a Time

How fun to see a couple of church members in today's Johnson City Press. Helen and Jim Wilson are ready to flip some jacks this Saturday morning to raise funds for a new foundation for Elizabethton and Carter County.

ELIZABETHTON — Diners will be able to enjoy a pancake breakfast at Applebee’s Restaurant on Saturday morning and help the community at the same time.

The Elizabethton/Carter County Community Foundation will be serving up the pancakes to raise funds to help the community in a wide area of needs, including education and scholarships, the environment, arts and culture, economic development, youth programs, historic preservation, family programs, animal welfare and much more.

Tickets for the breakfast will be available at the door at Applebee’s and are $5 each. Breakfast will be served from 8-10 a.m.

The foundation was organized in 2006 by a group of dedicated Carter County residents to serve the people of the county.

Helen and Jim Wilson are two of the members of the foundation’s advisory board. Mrs. Wilson said the goal of the foundation is to “to improve the quality of life of Carter County residents.”

Although the foundation is relatively new, its continued existence has been guaranteed through the endowments of several generous donors.

Mrs. Wilson said the foundation is affiliated with the East Tennessee Foundation, which also has foundations in Washington and Johnson counties, among others in the region.

Although it is associated with a regional foundation, Mrs. Wilson said all funds raised by the Carter County foundation will stay in the county and will benefit its people.

All the money raised by the pancake breakfast will be returned to the community, the Wilsons said.

Another fundraiser — a golf tournament — is in the planning stages. Mrs. Wilson said it will be held at the Elizabethton Golf Course on Aug. 8. She said Citizens Bank is the corporate sponsor of the event and Fatz Restaurant will be providing lunch. Hole sponsors also are being recruited.

The tournament will be named in honor of one of the original members of the foundation, the late Peggy Merryman, who was an avid golfer as well as a dedicated supporter of the community.